Question

Compare colonists' "pursuits of happiness" in new England, the middle colonies, the backcountry, and the south. how did poorer colonists in each of these regions seek to maintain their autonomy from powerful landlords and institutions, and how did this effort shape the formation of regional identities?

Answer 1

Agriculture in New England was more difficult as the rocky soil did not permit much crops to flourish. This affected the colonists’ way of life as they had to find other means of trade and livelihood to supplement farming. The diverse economy made the North colonies thrive despite the difficulties.The agricultural conditions in the South were more favourable, and growing tobacco quickly made the colonists successful. Turning to slavery to manage costs and increase profits, this greatly influenced the culture in the South.The Middle colonies, being controlled by the British monarchy until William Penn was granted land, were governed in a different way in that colonists were not forced to pay taxes to the Church, unlike in other colonies. This way of governing formed a different and more autonomous identity in the Middle colonies.